Uganda has begun urging international partners to remove travel restrictions imposed during its recent Ebola outbreak following the discharge of its last confirmed patient. The final patient, a Congolese national, was released from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala last week, marking a significant milestone in the country’s effort to end the outbreak.

With the discharge, Uganda has initiated a 42-day countdown, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), during which no new Ebola cases must be reported before the country can be officially declared free of the virus. The outbreak resulted in 20 confirmed cases and two fatalities.

Despite the progress, 15 countries continue to enforce either full or partial travel bans on Uganda, affecting the country’s connectivity and economic activities. Ugandan officials are now lobbying these countries to lift the restrictions, arguing that they are no longer justified given the containment of the virus.

The current outbreak in Uganda was linked to cross-border transmission from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ebola remains a health concern. Ugandan health authorities, with support from international partners, implemented rigorous contact tracing, surveillance, and treatment efforts to limit the spread of the disease.

The WHO emphasizes the importance of maintaining vigilance during the 42-day period to ensure all chains of transmission have been broken. If no new infections are detected by the end of this period, Uganda will be officially declared Ebola-free, paving the way for a full resumption of travel and trade activities with its partners.